Optimal Raising and Management Techniques for Newborn R

How to Manage Newborn Rabbit Kittens

1. Ensure the kittens receive colostrum promptly. It is crucial for the kittens to consume colostrum within the first 6 to 10 hours after birth. If the mother rabbit is unwilling to nurse, the owner must artificially feed the kittens. Here's how to do it: Secure the mother in a nursing box or birthing box, gently stroke her back to calm her down, and place the newborn kittens near her teats. The kittens will then naturally start to suckle. After a few attempts, the mother rabbit should become accustomed to this process and begin to nurse her kittens voluntarily. After each feeding, check if the kittens have eaten sufficiently. Wellfed kittens will have a round belly, a rosy complexion, and be calm and motionless. Generally, feeding the kittens once a day is sufficient, but if the litter is small, feed them twice a day. If the mother rabbit has a large litter or if the milk supply is insufficient or of poor quality, promptly transfer the underfed kittens to a lactating rabbit with an abundant milk supply. It's best if the two rabbits have a gestation period difference of less than 3 days. Before the transfer, apply the milk from the foster mother to the foster kittens to prevent the foster mother from becoming defensive and harming the kittens.

2. Maintain the incubator's warmth and prevent cold. The mother rabbit usually prepares a nest by pulling out her fur before giving birth to keep the nest warm and soft. If she doesn't, the owner should do it manually. Additionally, always ensure the nest temperature remains above 30°C, as low temperatures are detrimental to the kittens' survival.

3. Keep the rabbit shed and cage clean and hygienic. Once the kittens start eating, move them from the birthing box to a nursing box. In summer, you can enclose the nursing box with iron wire mesh to protect against mosquitoes and rodents, and change the bottom board once a week. Two to three days before giving birth, reduce the amount of concentrated feed and increase the amount of fresh green feed for the mother rabbit. After the birth, the mother rabbit should be given a tablet of sulfathiazole with baking soda daily for 3 to 4 days.

4. Implement supplementary feeding. Kittens can start receiving supplementary feed at 16 to 18 days old. However, be sure to feed them small, frequent meals. Provide a regular amount of tender grass and concentrated feed, such as soy milk. Additionally, you can add a small amount of diclazuril solution to the kittens' water to prevent coccidiosis.

5. Assist the kittens in a smooth weaning process. Determine the weaning age based on the kittens' intended use, weight, and birth season. If the kittens are underdeveloped or born in winter, you can extend the nursing period to around 30 to 35 days. If there are many kittens in a litter, you can wean the healthier ones first, and the weaker ones later. To wean the kittens away from their mother but not from the cage, keep their living environment unchanged to prevent stress reactions after weaning.

This is Dr. Oxygen Pet's guide to managing newborn rabbit kittens. We wish all the kittens a healthy and thriving growth!